CVE-2025-4034 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the projectworlds Online Examination System. The vulnerability exists in an unspecified functionality within the /inser_doc_process.php file, specifically through the manipulation of the Doc_ID parameter. This parameter is vulnerable to injection of malicious SQL code, allowing an attacker to interfere with the backend database queries. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without any authentication or user interaction, making it highly accessible to attackers. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9, categorized as medium severity, reflecting the potential for partial impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability with low complexity and no privileges required. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited over the network, increasing its risk profile. Although no public exploit is currently known to be actively used in the wild, the exploit details have been publicly disclosed, raising the risk of future exploitation. The lack of available patches or vendor advisories at this time increases the urgency for organizations using this software to implement mitigations. The Online Examination System is typically used by educational institutions and certification bodies to conduct exams digitally, making the confidentiality and integrity of exam data critical. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially extract sensitive student or exam data, alter exam results, or disrupt examination processes, undermining trust and operational continuity.

For European organizations, especially educational institutions, certification authorities, and training providers using projectworlds Online Examination System 1.0, this vulnerability poses significant risks. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal data of students and candidates, violating GDPR regulations and resulting in legal and financial penalties. Integrity of examination data could be compromised, allowing manipulation of exam results or insertion of fraudulent records, damaging institutional reputation and trust. Availability impacts could disrupt examination schedules, causing operational delays and financial losses. Given the remote, unauthenticated nature of the exploit, attackers could launch automated attacks at scale, potentially affecting multiple institutions simultaneously. The medium CVSS score suggests partial impact, but the critical classification and ease of exploitation elevate the threat level. Institutions relying on this system for high-stakes or regulated exams are particularly vulnerable to reputational damage and compliance risks. Additionally, the lack of patches means organizations must rely on compensating controls until a fix is available.

1. Immediate network-level controls: Restrict access to the Online Examination System's web interface to trusted IP ranges using firewalls or VPNs to reduce exposure. 2. Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy and configure a WAF with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the Doc_ID parameter, including signature and anomaly-based detection. 3. Input validation and sanitization: If possible, apply server-side input validation or sanitization on the Doc_ID parameter to reject or neutralize malicious input, even if a patch is not yet available. 4. Monitoring and logging: Enable detailed logging of web requests and database queries to detect suspicious activity patterns indicative of SQL injection attempts. 5. Incident response readiness: Prepare to respond quickly to any detected exploitation attempts, including isolating affected systems and conducting forensic analysis. 6. Vendor engagement: Actively monitor projectworlds communications for patches or updates and plan immediate deployment once available. 7. Consider temporary migration: Evaluate alternative examination platforms or manual processes for critical exams until the vulnerability is remediated. 8. Educate staff: Inform IT and security teams about the vulnerability specifics to ensure rapid detection and response.